For all of those who knew him, Rene RT Thornton passed away on Saturday January 29, 2011 of a long time bout with Diabetes. His services will be held at Larkin Mortuary in Ogden, Ut, on Friday February 4, 2011.

NEWPORT NEWS – Bill Dressler, 77, passed away Friday, March 20, 2009, surrounded by his family. Bill was born in Bradford, Pa., the son of LeRoy and Francis Dressler, and had been a resident of Newport News since 1977.

Chief Master Sergeant Dressler retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1981, after a 30 year career. He fought in both Korea and Vietnam, and served tours in Germany and Turkey, Thailand, the Philippines, and numerous Bases in the U.S., from Arizona to Maine. Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Hazel Dressler; six children, daughters, Katherine Yates and Donna Jones (Robby) of Tabb, Deborah Henriksen (Richard) of Huntsville, Texas, Cinda Dressler (Sam) of Graham, N.C.; sons, William R. Dressler of Gloucester, Ronald Dressler of Newport News; seven grandchildren, Malia Henriksen, Richelle Henriksen, Jeff Yates, Jennifer Yates, Ashley Jones, Amanda Jones, and Bobby Jones; sisters, Shirley Costanzo, Caroline Gobbi; brother, Walter Dressler; and numerous other family members.

Funeral services were held March 25, 2009, at Peninsula Funeral Home. Internment was in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, Virginia. Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks

The Ammo family recently lost one of it’s own. Retired MSgt Richard E. Fettis (Festus), passed away on April 9th after complications from surgery. MSgt Fettis served 22 years in the Air Force as an Ammo Troop including South East Asia during the Vietnam War. Most of his career was spent in PACAF, with two assignments to Kadena AB, Okinawa as well as Luke AFB, AZ and Cannon AFB, NM where he retired in 1991. After the Air Force MSgt Fettis and his family settled in Phoenix, AZ. Rich is survived by his Wife, Sandy and their four children. Rich loved the Air Force and being an Ammo Troop, he never tired of talking about his Ammo career with younger airman he ran into. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Rev. Erin Wathen. [email protected]. Funeral services were held 24 April 2009.

His daughter Denise added this appeal and in this effort please help pass the word to any and all who may have known and worked with Don:

My mother would like to put out the following message to any AMMO groups, especially the AMMO Chiefs group, that we can locate, as my father’s health is rapidly deteriorating. She has tried to contact people that they know but has been having very little luck getting in touch with anyone, and she thought that maybe this would be the best way. I would appreciate you letting me know if you are able to do this or not, so that I at least know where it stands. Thanks in advance for your assistance with this!

Denise Hamilton D’Amore
IYAAYAS!

Here is an update from John Greer (3/02/2009)

I spoke with Grace Hamilton last night and Don’s health has gotten worse. He has had several set backs(too many to mention) caused mostly by the tests/procedures they ran on him in the hospital (civilian) and is unable to breath on his own. Grace was very appreciative of the 50+ email she had received and if you would like to send one you can send it to their daughter Denise at; [email protected] She is up at their Georgia home with Grace but will be checking her emails daily. I have asked Grace to keep us posted on Don’s condition. She did not sound too positive as he has declined so rapidly since he went in the hospital the first part of Feb. Brothers it does not sound to good for one of the Great ones, so keep him in your prayers. I probably missed some folks with this update so if you want to pass this on please do.

IYAAYAS!

Update 2 from Fred O’Hern

For those who would like to send cards:

Don & Grace Hamilton
207 Greythorne Drive
Kathleen, GA, 31047

Just spoke to Denise, Don is doing better to day! Taking it one day at a time. Fred

Update 3/05/09

Had a brief chat with Grace last night! Don is continuing the good-fight taking it one day and/or one hour at the time. He needs our support, prayers, and good thoughts! Will keep you posted. Fred IYA Ammo YAS

Just got off the phone with Grace! The good news is that they have finally diagnosed what Don has; i.e. Wegeners Granulomatosis (causes bleeding of the lungs) a very rare disease; they are treating with chemo and steroids (he does not have cancer); they are removing the high-powered respirator in order to promote using his own lungs and to allow liquids and light food. Consideration is being given to moving him to a hospital in Macon that has a long-term ICU!

Will keep you’ll posted! Please pass this on to his many friends.

Fred IYA Ammo YAS

Update: 3/16/09

Just got off the phone with Grace! The latest news and long-term prognosis is encouraging in that Don has shown noticeable improvement over the last week; he’s now able to take food by mouth and his lungs are beginning to function; they are waiting for a bed in the long-term acute care/rehab facility in Macon, Ga and are planning to transfer him ASAP; this week he has been able to sit-up and get out of bed! They expect treatment and rehab in Macon to be something on the order of several months! As I said last week he is on chemo-therapy and steroids (but does not have cancer).

Don and Grace were touched and very appreciative of the Shell and Flame Award for Life-Time Achievement in Ammo that Chuck Norton presented on the ACA’s behalf to Grace last week. Grace asked me to pass on their thanks.